Thiruvananthapuram, March 10 The Kerala government on Tuesday approved a series of administrative and welfare measures ranging from poverty alleviation and anti-drug enforcement to police reforms and job creation.
The decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Among the key decisions, the cabinet approved detailed guidelines for the Post-Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP 2.0).
According to a CMO release, the scheme aims to help families just above the extreme poverty line move out of basic poverty and ensure that those who have already escaped extreme poverty do not slip back through sustained government support.
In a move to strengthen the fight against drugs, the government also decided to set up a Kerala State Narcotic Control Bureau under the Excise Department to prevent and investigate drug-related crimes.
The cabinet also approved the creation of 41 additional posts for special mobile squads to tackle atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These posts will be distributed in Agali in Palakkad, Mananthavady and Kasaragod.
To address complaints and legal issues faced by expatriates, the government will establish a dedicated NRI police station at the State Police Headquarters with 25 posts, including inspectors, sub-inspectors and other police personnel, the release said.
According to the government, it is estimated that around 3.5 million Keralites are living abroad, many of whom face complex legal, financial and security issues while residing overseas. These include online fraud, cyber investment scams, financial crimes and fake job offers.
"Non-resident Keralites also face difficulties due to problems experienced by their elderly parents back home, even from those entrusted with their care. Complaints related to illegal overseas recruitment for jobs and education, as well as frauds exploiting loopholes in the Emigration Act, are also common," it said.
Against this backdrop, the Loka Kerala Sabha Secretariat had proposed the establishment of a dedicated NORKA police station.
Based on this, the state cabinet approved a proposal by the State Police Chief to convert the existing NRI Cell functioning at the Police Headquarters into a full-fledged NRI Police Station under the charge of a Superintendent of Police, the release said.
The cabinet decided to recommend the appointment of K G Sanalkumar as the new State Election Commissioner.
Other decisions include converting Rs 520.9 crore owed by RUBCO into government equity, extending the state guarantee period for the Kerala State SC/ST Development Corporation to 20 years, and increasing the daily allowance for employees of Kerala State Beverages Corporation outlets to Rs 550.
RUBCO is a Kerala government-promoted cooperative that procures, processes and markets rubber and rubber-based products to support rubber farmers in the state.